Box with carrying handle



July 14, 1953 R. M. BERGSTEIN' 2,645,407

BOX WITH CARRYING HANDLE Fiied Sept. 1, 194a a Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrox.user M .Bzs asrfln.

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ATTO RNEY$- Patented July 14, 1953 BOX ITH CARRYING HANDLE Robert M.Berg'stein, Wy0ming,0hio. 1 a l c tion September 1,1948;Serial.N.o.47;171

My invention has to do with the-provision of paperboard box structureshaving built-in handle elements whereby the filled boxes may be easilycarried. v

Hitherto the need for carrying handles has been recognized; particularlyin connection with suit boxes in whichvarious articles of clothing maybe packed and carried away by the user. The art has suggested varioustypes of handle structures such as strap-like members with enlarged endswhich must be put in place on the boxes by hand insertionmethod's;during their manufacture, cumbersome and expensive wire handle elementswhich must be engaged with the box after it is filled and closed,integral, paperboard handle elements articulated to one of the boxwalls, which must be formed by complicated folding operations,frequently with hand insertion steps, or which require extensivemanipulation after the box is filled and closed, and separate paperboardhandle elements preattached to the collapsed box, but whichrequireexpensive and elaborate mechanism for their attachment and folding. Allof these constructions add ap-- preciably to the cost of boxes soequipped; many of them have to behandled as separate items either duringmanufacture or use; many of them interfere with the use of the box as anon-handlebearingstructure for storage or shipment; and

most of them entail difiiculty in manipulation on u the part of ahurried sales person or the purchaser of the garments. In addition mostof them present grasping elements which are inherently unsatisfactoryparticularly when any great weight of contents isto be carried in'theboxes.

It is an object of this inventionto provide a handle-equipped box at aninsignificant increase in cost over boxes of the same type but not soequipped.

It is an object of this invention to provide a handle structure whichdoes not in any way interfere with the use of the box as a non-handle--handle construction and a box so equipped, whichis pleasing inappearance and simpleto use, re-

quiring' no complicated manipulations on the part of the sales person oruser, and being sub stantially foolproof.

5.Claims. (Cl. 229-52) It is an'object of this invention to provide ahandle structure involving in its provision no extra folding of theblank, no hand insertion, and only the simplest and least expensive typeof equipment for high speed application.

It is an object of the invention to provide a handle construction whichis as applicable to a single wall construction on the top or carryingsurface of the box as it is to be a double walled top constructionsuchas found in the conventional one-piece suit-box constructions, thuswideningthe application of my handle to a great varietyof paperboardpackages to be carried.

These and other objects of the invention which will beset forthhereinafter, or willbe' apparent to one skilled in the art upon readingthese specifications; I accomplish by that construction and arrangementof parts, and in those procedures of which I shall now set forth certainexemplary embodiments. Reference is made to the accompanying drawingswherein? Figure 1 is a plan view of *the blank for a conventional typeof one-piece suitbox,but equipped with the handleof this invention.

Figure 21s a plan view on a larger scale of the cut and scored conditionof the outer top wall of the box of Figure 1.

"Figure-3 is-amenlar'gedplan-view of me cury.

and scored condition of the inner top wall prior to the attachment ofthe handle element per se.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the partially closed box.

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the fully "closed box, withthe handle element concealed andnot in use.

Figure 6 is a transverse partial sectional view taken along the sectionlineB-G of Figure 5.

Figure 7 isa partial perspective view of the same box with the handleelement in operative position for use.

Figure. 8 is a longitudinal partial section taken along the section line8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 isa perspective view showing a partially open box with amodified form of handle construction.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a partially open box showing amodification of the treatment of the inner and outer top walls.

Figure 11 is a partial section taken along the section line |l-ll ofFigure 10;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an erected tubular box or containerof the lock-end type, closed on one end, and provided with my handlestructure, the handle being concealed and not in the position for use.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the same box in fully closedcondition, and'with the handle element in exposed position and ready foruse.

Figure 14. is a partial sectional view taken along the section line l4l4of Figure 13.

Briefly, in the practice of my invention I employ as a handle elementper se a strip of stretchable material. The material may, if desired, beelastic in the sense of having a tendency to return to its originaldimensions when stretched longitudinally; but this quality is notnecessary. I have found that when I employ a strip of material capableof being substantially stretched,

. I may attach it to a wall of the box by spaced areas of adhesive orother attachment means, in a position in which the strip lies parallelto and fiat-wise against the wall to which it is attached. Such a strip,by reason of its stretchability, may be withdrawn through an openingeither in the same wall or in another overlying wall, to form a carryinghandle. When not so withdrawn, and as the box is made, the strip liesfiat-Wise against'the Wall to which it is attached, and does notinterfere in any way with any of the normal uses of the box when thehandle is not required. It may be concealed behind access means eitherin the wall to-which it is attached or in an overlying wall or both.

A stretchable material as herein set forth forms an excellent handleespecially for the carrying of considerable weights, because thestretchability and softness of the material of which it is made permitsthe grasping portion of the handle to roll and provide a relativelybroad carrying bail devoid of sharp edges. Thus much greater weights canbe carried in comfort than with wire handles, stiff metallic orpaperboard strips having sharp edges, or sharply folded paperboardelements in which the weight must be borne against cut or folded edges.

Various materials. are available for use as stretchable strips, and I donot regard specific materials as limitations upon the invention. Forexample, I may use textile fabric tapes woven or knitted so as to bestretchable, or incorporating elastic strands in their structure. Iprefer to employ a universally stretchable creped paper product ofsingle ply or multi-ply character, made by the process of United StatesPatent No. 2,008,180, to Kemp, from kraft paper stock or the like. Sucha product may be treated, if desired, as by the incorporation ofresinous or rubbery substances, to increase its tear strength. Othercreped products may likewise be used.

In Figure l I have illustrated a known form of knocked down, infoldedsuit box, the blank for which is shown in. plan. It comprises an outertop wall I, a main side panel 2, abottom wall 3, a second main sidepanel 4 and an inner top Wall 5 in articulation in the order named. Endwall members I, 9, l0 and [2 are articulated to the ends of the mainpanels 2 and 4 respectively. Triangular portions l3, I5, I6 and l! aredemarked at the ends of the end wall elements by diagonal score lines asshown. Bellows folding constructions l8 and I9 connect the respectiveends of the end wall elements and the bottom wall. Glue tabs l8, i9, 20and 2| are articulated to the ends of the outer and inner top-wallelements.

Blanks of this type can be folded and glued on known machines. Withoutattempting to indicate the order of the operations, the end wallelements I, 9, l0 and i2 together with the bellows folding portions 28and [9 are turned inwardly on the longitudinal score lines, and thetriangular portions [3, l5, l6, and I! are reversely folded to overliethe end wall elements. The glue tabs l8, I9, and 2| are folded inwardlyon their score lines. With the application of suitable adhesive eitherto the glue tabs or to the tri-' angular portions, the outer and innertop wall the adherence of the glue tabs and the triangular elements Iand 5 are infolded, which results in the adherence of the glue tabs andthe triangular portions. The result is a collapsed, infolded box whichmay be shipped to the user in the described condition. The user erectsthe inner and outer top wall elements and the end wall elements I bypulling upwardly upon them. The box parts can then be folded withrespect to the bottom wall 3, accompanied by bellows folding of theportions [8 and 19, giving the familiar one-piece suitbox constructionillustrated in Figures 4,

9 and 10.

The blank illustrated suitable boxboard in the cutting and scoring pressin the'usual fashion. Dot-dash lines indicate lines of score, whilesolidlines indicate lines of out. One way of practicing my invention inconnection with such a blank and box involves a configuration of theinner and outer top wall elements such as will now be described. Thisconfiguration is also attained on the cutting and scoring press. I V gThe inner top wall element 5 is provided with an elongated slot orcut-out 22 as most clearly shown in Figure 3. This cut-out may, ifdesired, be notched at its side as at 23 to facilitate engagement of thehandle member by the thumb or finger. The outer top wall element isprovided with means whereby the bail portion of the handle can be drawnthrough it and preferably with one or more flaps which canbe opened forthe purpose, and closed again after the handle is in operative position.A single U-shaped line of cut will provide such a flap; but I prefer thestructure most clearly shown in Figure 3. At each end of an area whichwill coincide with and be substantially the same as the cut-out-22 Iprovide small flaps 24 and 25, each formed by a U-shaped cut as flaps 26and 21 by the fingers. The handle element, which is the strip ofstretchable material hereinabove described, is in this modificationattached at its ends to the inner surface of the inner top wall 5. Thisis accomplished by the areas of adhesive indicated at 3| and 32. Thestrip 30 izszsomewhat narrower than the widthof the slot It may besimply applied during the movement of the blank; and this maybeaccomplished as a separate step before any of the other folds aremade, on the known folding and gluing machines, referred to above.However, I prefer in the case of structures such as shown in Figure l toincorporate the handle-applying device, as described below, into theknown machines which are used for folding and gluing blanks of thistype. In this Y event the handle-applying device is timed tc-synchronize with the timed means carrying the blank through thefolding and gluing machine. The location of this device in this machineis a matter of choice, as I may do it after the blankis fed out from thehopper and before the wall and corner folding operationsbegin,oritjmay'be done after in Figure l is made from' aerator theblankhaswbeen partiallyf 'ioldcd, i. 6., aster walls 1,9,4- "and lwhavebeen fclded inwardly: with triangular corner portions i3, .15,- filfi -and i l respectively folded bachthereon and atten cornerflaps l8,l9, :andl2I have gbeen f ol'ri'ed in but before wall 5 is folded in.I-nthis manner auto matic boxes of the typeshown in Figure I may' beproduced with no additional manufacturingt p and no additional. separateoperationsytoprovld'e my handle-attached box with noiiadditionai cos'tifeeding means and. severs the material. into. the

strips 30, and the trailing ends; of thesestrips movedownwardly tooverliethe adhesiuerarea fl. Press roll means throughwhich-.thelblank:carries the, adhesively secured strip-.may be supplied.

The strip 30 asapplied .isiflat. or substantially so, and, liesflat-wise against'dand; parallelism with the inner face of the inner topwall element 5. It does notin any way interfere with the normal use ofthe box. Figure 4 illustrates the erected andpartiallyclosed, box in thecondition in which it may be filled, with. the desired contents. It isclosed, as shown in Figure 5 by'bringing the elements together. The flatstructures 26, 2.1-, and 25 in the outer top wall cover the handleelement attachedto the inner top wall; and the box-in this-condition issuitable for all storage, shipping and other uses of similar structuresnot requiring a carrier handle.

When the use of the handle is desired, the flaps 2-6 and 21 are. raisedby means of the lim gers as shown in Figured, which: discloses thehandle element 30- beneath; This element is engaged by a thumb orfinger, the notch 23 facilitating this engagement, and is drawnoutwardly through the opening provided by flaps 26 and 21. This isrendered possible by the stretchability of the handle strip 30, sinceits ends are fixedly secured to the under surface of the inner topelement 5. When the handle element has been withdrawn through theopening, the flaps 26 and 21 may be folded back into position coplanarwith the outer top wall element l beneath the handle. The box with thehandle in operative position is shown in Figure 7 in perspective, and insection in Figure 8. The flaps 24 and 25 in the outer top wall elementoverlie the ends of the handle 30 where they pass through the boardlayers; but there is space enough between them for the handle element 30to provide a convenient carrying bail. It will be noted in Figure 8 thatthe ends of the handle element 30 are aflixed to the undersurface of theinner top wall element 5 in such a way that strain on the handleproduces a lengthwise pull at the area of attachment. Thus there is nopeeling action tending to separate the handle strip from the board.

By reason of this straight pull it is quite possible, as indicated inFigure 9, to attach a handle strip 33 directly to the outer surface ofthe in- 6 nor top: wall element'- areas: 34- and 35, and omit theslot-2a and notch- 13 in the inner topwallelement. The outer top wallelement irr the modificationof Fig ure 9 is configured-as hereina-bove;described,

and like parts are given l'ike index numerals.

Whereas in the structure of Figure lthe' handle strip 30 is attached tothe-inner surface of the inner top -wall element 5, in the modificationofFigure 9 the handle strip 33 is attached to the outer surface-of-theinner top walli element 5- after-thetop wall elements have beeninfolded; and as the last operationperformed upon the blank bythe-machine, excepting for pressing and stacking. The strip 33 howeveris attachedto the blank by similar means and :in

a similar fashion, preferably as a part ofthe machine operation offolding and gluing. In either event the cost is insignificant.

Whatever configuration is given to the inner and' cuter top wallelements is a matterof the-- die in the cutting and scoring press, andwith the simple apparatus which has been described, the attachment" ofthe strip. 33 or- 30- involves substantially no greater expense than theactu'al cost per rial.

A further modification is indicated in Figure 3-83and 39, preferablywith-a cut-out as at 40b The several fi'apsinthe-inner and outer topwall: elements correspond substantially in size and placement so thatthey will come into juxta-pos-ition when the box is 'fullyclo'sed. Thehandle strip 4!, as most clearly shown in- Figure 11, is again attachedto the inner or under face of the inner topwall element 5-, in

the manner heretofore described. The distance between the parallel scorelines by which the flaps 3-8, 33 and 26, 2-1 are articulated to theirrespective wallsmay advantageously be made, in this modification,substantially wider than the width of the strip H. The box, as before,is useabl'e, without a handle as a shipping and storage structure. Whenthe-handle is desired for use, the several flaps 26, 21, 38 and'39 areconcurrently depressed by the thumbs of the operator, until they clearthe side edges of the strip 4|, the stretchability of the strip 4|permitting this action to occur. When the several flaps are releasedthey tend to return to their original positions, bringing the handlestrip up with them, and leaving it in a position to be grasped forcarrying. No other folding operations are required in this modification.

It will be observed that in the structures thus for described, my handlewhen in operative po sition serves to maintain the box in closedcondition. When it is desired to open the box, the handle element isbrought beneath the outer top wall element by a reversal of theoperations heretofore described. The box may then be opened, and may bereclosed and reused as many times as desired, with or without use of thehandle.

My handle structure is not limited in its utility to one-piece boxes,but may be employed with two-piece boxes in addition to other means formaintaining closure, as will readily be understood. Nor is it limited touse in boxes having inner and outer top wall elements. In Figures 11-14inclusive I have illustrated another 5 by meanstot adhesive carton ofthe handlestrip mateform of box, which inthis instance. is a tubularcarton having body walls in articulation, two of which are shown at 42and 43. The ends of the body Wall elements are provided with closureflaps 44, 45, 46 and which in this instance are illustrated as alock-end closure, although it will be obvious that any other known formof closure may be employed.

The wall 42 isconfigured, as hereina'bove scribed, with end flaps 48 and49, and longitudinal flaps 50 and 5|, preferably with a cutout 52. Asmost clearly shown in Figure 14 a handle element 53 is attached at itsends to the inner face of the body Wall 42. be accomplishedon the cartonfolding and glue ing machine by means hereinabove set forth, prior tothe tubing of the blank in the conventional fashion.

The completed box, after being erected, filled and closed, may beemployed in any of the ways usual for tubular cartons. carrying handleis desired, the flaps 50 and 5| are either raised or depressed asdescribed above and the central portion of the handle element 53 iswithdrawn, giving the structure illustrated in Figure 13. If a tightcarton'is desired, the carton of Figures 12 to 14 may be tubed in suchfashion that a glue flap underlies the wall 42, and the glue flap may bewidened-to correspond substantially in area to the Wall 42, beingadhered to that wall about its edges. The handle element 53 may, asbefore, be adhered at its ends to the under surface of the body wall 42prior to the tubing operation, and hence in the finished tubed cartonwill lie between the glue flap andthe body wall 42.

Other modifications may be made in my invention without departing fromthe spirit of it. Having thus described my invention in certainexemplary embodiments, what I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In a paperboard box having in the closed condition juxtaposed innerand outer wall panels, a handle element comprising a strip ofstretchable creped paper adhesively secured at its ends only to the saidinner wall of the box,

said strip of stretchable materia1 being adhesively This may When,however, a I

secured to the said inner wall panel in planar,

- fully extended and substantially unstretched -condition,-an opening inthe outer wall of said box overlying said handle element, said handleelement being stretchably displaceable through the. opening in saidouter wall panel to form a carrying handle for said box.

2., The box construction claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle elementis attached to the inner surface of the said inner wall and isdisplaceable'through an opening in the said inner Wall, said last namedopening comprising a slot of a Width substantially equal to the width ofsaid handle element and of a length substantially equal to the length ofthe unsecured portion of said handle element.

3. The box construction claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle elementis adhered to the inner surface of said inner wall and is displaceable"through an opening in said inner wall, said inner wall being providedwith at least one. flap displaceable to form said opening.

4. The box construction claimed in claim 3 wherein the opening in saidouter wall is also formed by at least one flap displaceable to form saidlast named opening.

5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle element'isadhered to the outer sur face of the said inner wall, and wherein theopening in said outer wall is formed by at least one flap displaceableto form said opening.

ROBERT M. BERGSTEIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1 254,592 Beiser Mar. 7, 1882 601,421 Augustin Mar. 29, 1898645,214 Prins Mar. 13, 1900 1,076,076 Story Oct. 21, 1913, 1,141,789Freese June 1, 1915 1,153,136 Rosenfeld Sept. 7, 1915 1,171,228 Misrochet a1 Feb. 8, 1916 1,194,172 Harbeck Aug. 8, 1916 2,258,582 Berg, JrOct. 14, 1941 2,287,581 Walker June 23, 1942 2,349,985 Page May 30, 1944

